I've gathered into one video my previous individual recordings of the Russian late romantic Georgy Catoire's Four Preludes, Op. 17. This is a convenient way to hear all four played in the proper order as intended by the composer. Total run time is about 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibRhjc2zrno

That was great! I enjoyed every minute. Thanks you for bringing this unfortunately obscure composer to my attention.

Hi Horowitzian,

I'm so glad you enjoyed listening to the whole set of preludes. And it's always nice to discover a "new" composer whose music you really enjoy, isn't it? Sometimes I wonder if Catoire had come to the U.S., as did Rachmaninoff, maybe he would have gained more visibility, wider audiences, and fame. He was a superb late romantic composer, and it's a shame that his music is so neglected today.

Thanks for listening!

No problem! Indeed it is enjoyable to discover something "new" such as this. I'm sure that if he had come to the US, he would be a better known name. I'm glad there's someone (you) out there promoting his music, and I hope others are inspired to do the same. I know he's on my list of more obscure composers I want to explore someday in my own playing, along with Bortkiewcz.

Are his scores available in the public domain anywhere?

Hi Horowitzian,

For scores, the IMSLP is tops. Here is their home page link. Once there, click on Composers over in the left navigation bar, then on C, then Catoire. Just about everything is there. The link:

http://imslp.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

I've posted a ton of Bortkiewicz recordings here too. You've probably listened to some or maybe even all of them. He is also a great composer, yet nearly unknown. You can find his scores at the IMSLP as well.

Cheers!

Thanks Rachfan! I'll look into it for certain.

PS--I'm a "Rachfan" too.

Cheers!

That was very nice. I admit I'm not very familiar with Catoire but I really enjoyed that rather mystical performance.

Keep up the good work!

Hi akonow,

Thanks so much for listening! I've discovered that when it comes to championing the music of a little known composer, it's all about winning listeners over one by one. I'm glad you enjoyed this music.

oooh

how nice of you to do this Rachfan!
and a bonus photo too!

thanks

Hi apple*,

It's great to hear from you! I hope all is coming along well for you.

Thanks for listening to the Catoire complete set of Preludes, Op 17. To me, they're much more meaningful to hear as a continuous set than individually. Glad you got a kick out of the photo too :-). At least it didn't break the camera!

While you're here, a question: I find that when I come onto Piano World now (following that long maintenance update session they did a couple of nights ago), Member Recordings no longer appears in the Forums List. Do you see it when you display the list? So I have to use the Search function, enter the forum in there, find an entry pertaining to it, and click on that to bring up the forum. Really cumbersome! Is Piano World trying to get rid of it by removing it from the list?

I still have it in the list. Are you certain you aren't looking in the right place? It is under "Fun Stuff! - Parties, Tours, Projects & More...", which is the second block of forums.

it's in the forum list as before.. perhaps a bit of a different look with the new format. Are you feeling ok?

Hi Horowitzian and apple*,

Thanks for that info! Yeah, I still have all my marbles :-p ; however, until that site maintenance update they did a few nights ago, Member Recordings always (for me at least) appeared on the one main forum list along with the Piano forum, the Tuners & Techs forum, and all the rest of them. This splitting up the forums into Parts I and II seems like something new. No?

No problem, good mate! We owe you one since you share your excellent recordings with us.

Thanks, Horowitzian, it's my pleasure!

It's official -- I'm a big fan of RachFan!!

Love this set, and you play it beautifully. I also checked out your Bortkiewicz Preludes 33/8,9,10. Fantastic! Your voicing of #8 is particularly impressive. So far you've introduced me to 2 great composers I've never heard of. I'm looking for a new project, and you've just convinced me to choose Catoire or Bortkiewicz. Thanks so much.

Out of curiosity, where do you learn of these obscure composers?

Hi heidiv,

I'm honored to have you as a fan! Thanks! More importantly, I'm delighted that these two composers have greatly sparked your interest. That's my whole purpose in presenting this music.

On this same forum you can also find my recordings of Bortkiewicz's Preludes, Op. 33 Nos. 3, 5, 6, and 7 (7 is an analog recording). But you MUST hear the Preludes, Op. 40, Nos. 2, 4, and 6. They are absolutely gorgeous pieces, again on this forum. And I also included here his Impromptu, Op. 24, No. 3 (Eros), also an analog recording, but an incredible piece too.

My first exposure to Bortkiewicz and Catoire was through Koji Attwood, an artist in NYC, a couple of years ago. I heard his recordings of the Bortkiewicz Impromptu and Catoire's, Etude-Fantastique Op. 12, No. 4. If you go onto YouTube and enter Bortkiewicz, you can hear him play several Bortkiewicz etudes there. I've been hooked ever since.

Wow, you've been busy!

Thanks for the info, and thanks for inspiring me to do some recording myself!

the fan club is growing!

Hi apple*

And I really appreciate my fans! You are all great! Most of all though, I'm thrilled that the listeners are discovering these long neglected composers who wrote such beautiful music. My purpose has been simply to serve their genius as best I can.

i am so enjoying i think 33/9. I am finally able to practice again with vigor and am looking forward to learning it.

These are totally awesome, David. I'll have to look for his music the next time I visit Spectrum Music in Lexington.

John

Hi John,

Thanks for the kind words! I'm going to send you a PM regarding sheet music.

David

Hi apple*,

Ah yes. That Bortkiewicz Prelude, Op. 33, No. 9 is gorgeous. It takes the form of a quiet barcarolle. I loved playing it, and I'm sure you will too. Have fun practicing that one. And glad to hear that you've regained your strength. Super!